What is the Difference Between Converging and Diverging Lens?

The main difference between converging and diverging lenses lies in their shapes and how they affect the light rays that pass through them:

• Converging Lenses (also known as convex lenses):
• These lenses are thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges.
• They cause parallel rays of light to converge to a point known as the focal point.
• When the object is outside the focal point, the image is real and inverted. If the object is inside the focal point, the image becomes virtual and upright.
• Diverging Lenses (also known as concave lenses):
• These lenses are thinner in the middle and thicker at the edges.
• They cause parallel rays of light to diverge.
• The image is always virtual and located between the object and the lens.

In summary, converging lenses are thicker in the middle and cause parallel light rays to converge, while diverging lenses are thinner in the middle and cause parallel light rays to diverge. The types of images formed by these lenses also differ, with converging lenses forming real images and diverging lenses forming virtual images.

Comparative Table: Converging vs Diverging Lens

Here is a table that highlights the main differences between converging and diverging lenses:

A converging lens focuses light rays onto a single point, while a diverging lens causes light rays to spread apart. Converging lenses can produce both real and virtual images, but diverging lenses always produce virtual images. The focal length of a converging lens is positive, while that of a diverging lens is negative.